Fallen officer honored 100 years after death

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The Cumberland County Law Enforcement memorial in Carlisle now bears the name of an officer who was killed on the job 100 years ago.

Pennsylvania Railroad Officer John Beisser was killed on the job on October 20, 1916. But a local historian just recently discovered the circumstances surrounding the officer's death. Officer Beisser was shot and killed outside of Wormleysburg, while attempting to arrest two people for trespassing. Beisser was just 36 years old at the time. His partner, Officer Harry C. Chub was also shot, but survived. Wednesday, Beisser was honored with a special ceremony, and his name was added to the Line of Duty Death records for Cumberland County.

"I'm humble to have participated in it and to have been able to find that story, and help them tell their story," said Randy Watts, the historian who rediscovered the case of Beisser's death.

A man named Archie Miller was later convicted of first-degree murder for the shooting, and was executed at Rockview Penitentiary in 1917.